Citrix XenServer Reviews

Name: Citrix XenServer
Brand: Citrix
Rating: 4.1 (50 reviews)

4.1 out of 5

50 reviews
80% willing to recommend

4,050 followers

What is Citrix XenServer?

Citrix XenServer provides virtualization with high availability and robust security, offering seamless VM migration and centralized management through XenCenter. Its expansive compatibility and integration enhance its appeal, particularly for SMBs.

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Citrix XenServer is the #11 ranked solution in best Server Virtualization Software. PeerSpot users give Citrix XenServer an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. Citrix XenServer is most commonly compared to Proxmox VE: Citrix XenServer vs Proxmox VE. Citrix XenServer is popular among the midsize enterprise segment, accounting for 50% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a educational organization, accounting for 43% of all views.

Helped 851,491 peers since 2012

Featured Citrix XenServer reviews

Tonatiuh Torres Zamorano

Solutions Manager at ICSI

I find Citrix XenServer valuable for small to medium-sized businesses. It is user-friendly and easy to deploy, making it an attractive option. When included with Citrix virtualization solutions, it provides a comprehensive package with existing licenses. Despite being effective for small to medium infrastructures, it may not be the best hypervisor for larger deployments.

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SivaKuppala

Enterprise Architect at Wipro Limited

It is a scalable product and provides great benefits for virtualization needs. However, there are a few considerations: * Cost: Citrix Hypervisor can be fairly expensive. * Complexity: There's a learning curve, especially for those coming from a Microsoft background. Setting it up and managing it can introduce some complexity. * Hardware Support: Not all major hardware vendors fully support Citrix Hypervisor. * Third-party Integration: Integrating Hypervisor with other technologies within a large ecosystem can sometimes be challenging. * Community Support: Compared to solutions like Microsoft Hyper-V, the community support for Citrix Hypervisor is somewhat less extensive. It is not vast. If there are any issues or errors, the community support is not that good. Those are definitely important disadvantages.

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Filip Fronczak

Virtualization Architect & Managing Owner at AnyThin', Jerzy Fronczak

The typical use case for Citrix XenServer in my organization is to provide secure access to applications and resources. We use it primarily for offering affordable server virtualization I find Citrix XenServer valuable for its affordable server virtualization capabilities. It provides secure…

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Citrix XenServer mindshare

As of May 2025, the mindshare of Citrix XenServer in the Server Virtualization Software category stands at 5.0%, up from 4.2% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Server Virtualization Software

PeerResearch reports based on Citrix XenServer reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Server Virtualization Software	May 19, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	May 19, 2025	Download
Comparison	Citrix XenServer vs Proxmox VE	May 19, 2025	Download
Comparison	Citrix XenServer vs VMware vSphere	May 19, 2025	Download
Comparison	Citrix XenServer vs Hyper-V	May 19, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Proxmox VE	4.3	18.2%	98%	62 interviews Add to research
VMware vSphere	4.4	16.5%	94%	454 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Citrix XenServer stands out with features like free access, robust virtualization, and easy management through a Windows-based console. Users highlight the system's live migration, storage flexibility, and integrated management tools. It supports high availability, simple backups, and is cost-effective compared to alternatives. The platform's scaling capabilities, security features, and compatibility with diverse cloud environments enhance its value. It is appreciated for performance optimization, intuitive deployment, and streamlined administrative operations.

"Citrix XenServer is suitable when working with VDI solutions. It provides essential capabilities and stability, which are crucial."
"I find Citrix XenServer valuable for small to medium-sized businesses."
"It is user-friendly and easy to deploy, making it an attractive option."

Room for Improvement

Citrix XenServer requires improvement in several areas including enhanced backup and recovery capabilities, better integration with third-party solutions, and more robust network management. Users find the licensing costs high and encounter issues with compatibility for Linux guests and limited management console access. Many express the need for a web-based management interface and improvements in automation and security. There is also a need for better technical support and community engagement.

"I did not favor Citrix XenServer in the past due to numerous issues and complications that made it a nightmare to use."
"Citrix needs to improve the hypervisor, specifically in security and performance."
"Citrix needs to improve the hypervisor, specifically in security and performance."

ROI

Citrix XenServer brings substantial savings through environmental and hardware cost reductions, appealing to management by proving its worth. Users find satisfaction in its capabilities, contributing to its perceived value. Cost considerations include licensing, hardware, deployment, training, and ongoing support. Despite potentially not being the cheapest, its benefits like server consolidation, energy savings, resource maximization, and simplified management justify its value. Organizations often consider it stable and reliable, frequently choosing not to transition away.

Pricing

Citrix XenServer is primarily praised for offering a free version, making it attractive to smaller networks and businesses seeking an open-source solution. However, to access commercial support and additional features, a license is necessary, starting around $6,000 annually. Some users find the pricing competitive compared to VMware, but others view it as expensive. The licensing model, while straightforward, can be perceived as high-cost depending on deployment complexity. Overall, it offers a cost-effective option when integrated with Citrix's full suite.

"Citrix Hypervisor can be fairly expensive."
"Citrix Hypervisor is expensive."
"We used it only for some desktop licenses, so the pricing is great. We used the free licenses for server virtualization."

Popular Use Cases

Citrix XenServer is primarily used for virtualization in various industries, including banking, automotive, and IT. Organizations utilize it for virtual desktops, server management, cloud automation, and application delivery. It supports diverse virtualization environments like Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops and aids in server hosting and infrastructure management. Companies often choose it for cost-effective licensing and maintaining infrastructure, creating virtual machines, enhancing VDI solutions, and offering secure access to applications and resources.

Service and Support

Citrix XenServer's customer service is described as good, but the initial tier can be slow. Some users find technical support knowledgeable and responsive, while others experience delays and inefficiencies, often needing to navigate through third-party resellers. There are reports of lacking direct access and challenges with outdated versions. Community resources are deemed helpful, filling gaps left by the official channels. Citrix Hypervisor is highlighted as providing quality support.

Deployment

Initial setup of Citrix XenServer is straightforward and quick, often completed in under a day. Users find it intuitive, especially with basic IT knowledge. While installation itself is simple, specific configurations, like shared storage and hardware compatibility, need careful planning. Those with experience in virtualization adapt easily. For larger deployments, planning is crucial. XenServer provides flexibility, allowing transition to network storage seamlessly, and only minor challenges may arise depending on setup complexity.

Scalability

Citrix XenServer is recognized for its strong scalability, supporting various environments from small to large enterprises. Users appreciate its ease of expansion, whether adding hosts or enhancing resources. Its cloning feature simplifies scaling, and it integrates well with other systems. Although some express concerns about storage implementation and seek enhancements, many find the platform satisfactory for growth needs. It's preferred for being adaptable with no significant barriers to scaling.

Stability

Citrix XenServer is generally considered stable, with many users noting it as very reliable and rarely encountering issues. Some older chipset versions caused instability, but recent updates improved performance. Occasional bugs appear, but they're not widespread. Users experience high uptime, sometimes exceeding 1,000 days. It's deemed mature, with regular updates and effective support enhancing stability. Some users report minor stability challenges in network-related areas; however, overall, it operates effectively across various environments.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Citrix XenServer Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

43%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

Financial Services Firm

Government

University

Healthcare Company

Construction Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Retailer

Non Profit

Insurance Company

Media Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Wholesaler/Distributor

Hospitality Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Legal Firm

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Outsourcing Company

Performing Arts

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Compare Citrix XenServer with alternative products

Learn more about Citrix XenServer

Citrix XenServer is recognized for its user-friendly virtualization capabilities, facilitating dynamic scalability and efficient resource management. It supports a wide range of operating systems and integrates with Citrix solutions for improved operations. Businesses benefit from its affordability and ease of deployment. Despite its strengths, users seek improvements in third-party tool integration, network and backup management, and storage flexibility. High costs, limited Linux support, system complexity, technical support, and hardware compatibility remain challenges. An updated and intuitive interface is in demand for more seamless operations across platforms.

What are the key features of Citrix XenServer?

User-Friendly Virtualization: Simplifies virtualization operations with efficient management tools.
High Availability: Ensures continuous access to virtualized resources.
Robust Security: Protects virtual environments with comprehensive security protocols.
Seamless VM Migration: Facilitates easy migration of virtual machines across environments.
Centralized Management: XenCenter provides centralized control for resource management.
Dynamic Scalability: Supports scaling of resources as per business requirements.
Real-Time Performance Monitoring: Enables monitoring and optimizing of system performance actively.
Unlimited Virtual Machines: Offers the capacity for deploying numerous virtual machines without limitations.

What benefits and ROI can users expect?

Cost Efficiency: Competitive pricing model reduces virtualization costs.
Comprehensive Virtualization: Complete solution for desktop and server virtualization needs.
Ease of Deployment: Quick and straightforward setup process minimizes downtime.
Integration with Citrix Solutions: Enhances functionality with existing Citrix technologies.

In diverse industries, Citrix XenServer is leveraged for server and desktop virtualization, cloud automation, and infrastructure management. Many deploy it for virtual desktop infrastructure, application delivery, on-premises data centers, and to support Citrix application delivery like XenApp and XenDesktop. Enterprises migrating from VMware often find Citrix XenServer cost-efficient for these applications, serving as a main computing platform for enterprise applications including ERP systems and SQL Servers.

Citrix XenServer was previously known as Hypervisor.